Gwynedd man's 2,500 mile Australian desert ride in memory of toddler

Efan Evans, of Morfa Nefyn, who died following a long battle with a rare disease which affected his lungs

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A GWYNEDD man is set to embark on a mammoth 2,500 mile bike ride across the Australian outback.

Meirion Miles Griffith, a self-employed gardener who lives in Talsarnau, is setting off for Perth later this month before embarking on the sponsored bike ride to Sydney for Ty Gobaith.

He’s taking part to raise money for the charity in memory of Efan Evans from Morfa Nefyn, the son of his cousin, Bleddyn. Efan tragically passed away last Christmas after a long battle, having been born with a rare disease that affected his lungs.

The journey will take him from Perth, on the western tip of the continent, through the Nullarbor Plain to Sydney which lies in the more populated east. A substantial part of the journey will be made through desert.

Jonathan Foskett from Harlech Foodservice, presenting Meirion Miles Griffith with a bike

The 48 year old said: “I first went to Australia on a working holiday around 20 years ago, and fell in love with the place.

“I’ve been back a few times since, but there’s something special about this part of the world.”

His mammoth journey will involve crossing desert and plains, with an equivalent distance of North Wales to Cardiff devoid of any settlements whatsoever.

He added: “I’ve read up about all the dangers, but the most important thing is to carry enough supplies as it could be days between seeing another person.

“I’m not really worried about snakes but I’ve been told not to cycle at night as the kangaroo’s eyesight isn’t up to much, as far as I understand!”

Meirion hopes to raise £10,000 during the journey, a figure which has been boosted by sponsorship from Harlech Foodservice who provided a bike worth over £500, Islawffordd Caravan Park, and Artro Properties.

He went on to say: “I’m setting off on November 1 and hope to be in Sydney by Christmas, but if I’m sat in a tent on my own on Christmas day then it won’t be the end of the world.

“I’m planning on camping the whole way, it doesn’t bother me at all and will also be a chance to see a parts of Australia that most people won’t have seen.

“The most important thing though is to raise as much money as possible for this amazing charity.”

To sponsor Meirion in his fundraising efforts, visit his website at justgiving.com/Meirion-Miles